Vehicle Lower Structure Spat Guide for Wind Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lower structures with spat body portions experience high air resistance due to wind turbulence, and issues with ice and snow accumulation between deflector components, leading to increased friction and potential blockages.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lower structure featuring multiple spat body portions with guide portions that are inclined and positioned to guide wind flow, preventing turbulence and ice/snow accumulation by directing wind outward and reducing frictional forces through angled surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a two-staged deflector with front and rear deflectors is provided in front of the wheel, then wind pressure resistance is reduced, but air turbulence occurs beside the vehicle and air resistance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflector is divided into multiple spat body portions arranged in rows, with each portion having a guide portion. This segmentation allows better control of wind flow at different positions, preventing turbulence while maintaining wind pressure resistance reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide portion is provided only in vehicle-width-direction outer regions of specific spat body portions, not uniformly across all portions. This local application optimizes wind guidance where it is most needed (at outer edges) while reducing unnecessary structural complexity.
2Force
If multiple spat body portions are provided side by side, then wind pressure resistance is reduced, but ice and snow accumulate between deflector components increasing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion with its inclined surface is provided only at vehicle-width-direction outer regions rather than on all surfaces. This localized design reduces areas where ice and snow can accumulate while maintaining the wind guidance function where it is most effective.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having horizontal or inward-facing surfaces that would collect ice and snow, the guide portion is inclined to direct wind outward and away from accumulation zones. This inverted approach prevents accumulation rather than addressing it after occurrence.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the guide portion extends outward beyond the spat body portion, then wind flow is guided better, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide portion is provided only in vehicle-width-direction outer regions of spat body portions, not on all surfaces or portions. This localized approach provides wind guidance functionality where it is most needed while minimizing the overall structural complexity and material requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances aerodynamic performance by reducing air turbulence and preventing wind from engulfing the wheel, while also minimizing ice and snow accumulation between deflector components through strategic angling and positioning.
Implementation Method 1
the guide portion is inclined toward the vehicle rear side and outward in the vehicle width direction to guide a traveling wind
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lower structure includes a plurality of spat body portions and a guide portion. The spat body portions are provided side by side in a vehicle longitudinal direction on a vehicle front side of a wheel, are protruded from an underfloor of the vehicle toward a vehicle lower side, and extend in a vehicle width direction. The guide portion constitutes vehicle-width-direction outer regions of the spat body portions in at least one of second and subsequent rows from a vehicle rear side, is inclined toward the vehicle rear side and outward in the vehicle width direction to guide a traveling wind, and has a vehicle-width-direction outer end that is arranged more outward in the vehicle width direction than a vehicle-width-direction outer end of the spat body portion that is adjacent to the vehicle rear side.